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City Boosts Subsidy For Municipal Band

WHEATON — The Wheaton City Council voted Monday night to increase the city's contribution this year to the Wheaton Municipal Band to $77,954 from $71,500.

All but $1,000 of that increase can be attributed to the council's recent salary increase to band director Bruce Moss, who will be paid $14,000 this year.

Although most council members believed the budget increase was in line, Councilman Grant Eckhoff reiterated his concern about the band's continued dependence on city contributions.

However, the rest of the council disagreed and voted 4-1 in favor of the contribution.

"Outside of the band director's salary, they're getting a grand in their budget to pay band members a couple of extra bucks," said Councilman Robert Mork. "I don't see this increase as excessive."

The city's annual contribution to the band has been one of the most controversial budget items during the past five years. Several council members have urged the band to seek outside financing and have suggested that the city at a minimum should freeze its annual contribution to the band.